Improvements are coming soon to Mt. Vernon Street and Broadway Avenue with the construction of traffic calming modifications to enhance vehicle and pedestrian safety. Constructed is anticipated in late spring or early summer and is estimated to take one month.
The project was generated by concerns about neighborhood speeding and sight-distance issues at the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Broadway, in the West Central neighborhood. The project will largely involve the construction of “bulb-outs” or extensions of the curb into the roadway, narrowing the width of the road and creating a traffic calming effect.
“The proximity of nearby buildings to the intersection restricts sight distances for turning movements at the intersection,” explains Traffic Engineer Brett Foster. “The width of Mt. Vernon Street also promotes speeding. With the addition of these traffic calming modifications, we hope to alleviate sight distance and speeding concerns, improving safety for pedestrians and drivers.”
The project will also include pedestrian markings, new striping, curbs and new sidewalk connections in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Zone 3 Councilman Mike Schilling indicated support for partially funding the project through the Minor Neighborhood Improvement Program (“Pothole Funds”), part of the City’s ¼-cent Capital Improvement Sales Tax. Remaining funding will come from the 1/8-cent Transportation Sales Tax Turning Lane and Safety Improvements Program. Construction is estimated to cost $93,000.
Motorists can expect periodic lane closures on Mt. Vernon and on Broadway throughout construction. Detailed traffic impacts will be communicated to the public when a construction schedule is determined.